Why do dentists always recommend having a root canal procedure? Can a regular filling negate the need for root canal surgery?
Dentists only recommend root canal procedures for patients with tooth decay deep in the tooth, say under an existing filling. You may need a root canal if your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. A routine filling will not negate the need for root canal procedures. It will temporarily mask the problem.
Can your dentist give you a general anesthetic for a root canal procedure?
In some circumstances, yes. Root canal procedures are commonplace in most dental practices, and the local anesthetic used is advanced and offers pain-free treatment.
However, for some reason, most people have some inherent deep-rooted fear of the dentist’s chair, so having a procedure that removes a nerve from the tooth can be daunting.
Suppose the dentist feels that your anxiety is overwhelming and prevents you from having a root canal procedure. In that case, they may recommend a general anesthetic to put you under for this short procedure.
Do you stay awake during the root canal?
Yes. Although the sound of root canal procedures fills your heart with fear is a simple procedure. Like a deep filling, you will not feel any pain during or after the procedure.
Root canal procedures are routine in any dental practice and are used to save teeth rather than extracting a tooth leaving the patient with a gap, dentures, or bridgework.
You will have experienced more pain before the root canal procedure, and the only thing you will feel is a slight pinch when you have the local anesthetic.
How painful are root canals?
They are not painful. Your dentist is an expert at root canals, so this should dispel your fears. Your dentist is a mega expert at administering a local anesthetic to make the procedure painless.
The only thing the patient needs to do is lie back and think about something pleasant for 20 minutes while the dentist drills and removes the nerve from the tooth. You may feel some vibration from the drill or some pressure, but 100% you will not feel any pain.
After the procedure, you can return to work, eat normally, and carry on with your life pain-free from a problematic tooth.
Does it hurt to talk after a root canal?
No. You will have a numb jaw and face shortly after the procedure, and you may feel a little bruised from the injection suite (this is rare).
There is no nerve in your tooth after a root canal, so you cannot feel any pain from the tooth. It can sometimes be uncomfortable to have your mouth open for a long period, but there is nothing else to worry about other than that discomfort.
Is a crown necessary after a root canal?
Maybe. It might be better to have a crown if the root canal was carried out on one of your molars or premolars’ teeth. This is because these teeth take a lot of punishment during eating, and a crown will give additional support to a hollowed-out tooth that has been filled.
The pressure that molars experience while chewing is truly immense. A crown will make the tooth stable.
How long will my face be swollen after a root canal?
24 hours. You may not experience any swelling after a root canal. Root canal procedures are not always associated with such aggressive surgery techniques.
If you experience swelling, take ibuprofen to reduce the swelling and sleep with your head elevated for a couple of nights while the swelling subsides.
Is it better to pull a tooth or get a root canal?
It depends. For most people, a root canal is a better choice to take, but it will depend on the advice of your dentist.
In some cases where the patient has neglected their teeth and has poor dental and oral hygiene, there would be little purpose in trying to save the tooth.
If the tooth is excessively damaged by tooth decay, it’s best to remove it.
If the tooth has been damaged beyond repair from cracking, it may be easier to remove it.
For most people, the priority is always to save the tooth. It looks better and is cheaper and a lot less hassle than pursuing bridgework.
Can I ignore the need for a root canal?
Not for long. You can’t delay dentistry because it has potentially severe consequences such as bacteria reaching the jaw bone, and causing a painful abscess.
Bacteria from your jaw is not only painful but can become life-threatening if untreated. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and be a cause of sepsis.
If a root canal terrifies you, the alternatives are being in pain and potentially becoming sick or having the tooth pulled. For most people, the root canal becomes the best option.
What are the signs you need a root canal?
You need to be assed rather than self diagnose. Let your dentist decide what treatment you need before jumping the gun that you need a root canal that elevates your anxiety.
Your dentist will loom for the following when making an assessment of your teeth and the need for root canal procedures:
- Do you have a continuous toothache that can be overwhelming?
- Are your teeth sensitive to temperature changes such as hot and cold?
- Is your tooth discolored?
- Are your gums swollen around the infected tooth?
- Can you chew on the tooth without pain?
- Is the tooth chipped or cracked?
- Can you move the tooth within the gums as slightly loose?
There is more to deciding if you need a root canal than meets the eye. In line with the above, the dentist will need to take x-ray images of the offending tooth to make sure he can carry out a successful root canal procedure.